A day when the sun sets

It was unusually quiet in the room. That was the first thing, subconsciously noted Sunset, looking at the light unwillingly entering through the numerous windows, lighting up the room and the lonely coffin. Everything was set, everypony was buzzing around, trying to make sure everything would go perfectly. Exept for Sunset. Sunset wanted to just... stay there, with her. Stepping closer to the opened casket she looked inside, seeing the lifeless body of the mare she admired, feeling as her hooves turn to lead. She was laying there, on her one-way trip to Afterlife, with the same exact smile...the one she showed everypony...the one she welcomed her with...

Her mane was braided with numerous small flower-halo's, one flower for each year of her life. She still looked stunning, even despite the latest years of her life taking a toll on her looks. This was the last reminder she needed to accept reality - Celestia... was not with her anymore. She will never wake up and brighter Sunset's day with a smile, nor give her a motherly advice. And she felt even more from all the secrets about her m...mmm...princess, that she didn't have the opportunity to learn... an agonizing thought.

Looking around to make sure she was alone - Sunset lays her head in Celestia's chest, feeling chills from her cold flesh. Her tears started mixing with the fur of her teacher as she was unable to stop herself form crying. Sunset wanted to feel this warmth again, just this once... but it was imposible.

She cried out all her feeling, all the things she didn't have the chance to say from every small corner of her bleeding soul.It was a small release, but it was better then nothing. Sunset was caressing her teacher's mane, while whispering into her ear.

"I won't disappoint you...mom...Never again. I promise!" as she finished saying that - she gave her the last kiss she cloud give her, before walking away, right as Twilight and royal guards entered.

"Are you ready? It's time to begin," Sunset suddenly heard Twilight's voice while looking at the coffin, not noticing as they walked there, focused on catching every last fleeing moment she can. The Guards closed the casket and covered it with Equestria's flag.

The guards were carrying the coffin through the whole castle, so the workers of the castle can say their goodbye's one of the first, as they spend most time with the Princess. Some worked there for generations, and now only could bow for the last time, keeping the Princess of Sun as an undying history for their descendants. Sunset secretly was looking at them with the corner of her eyes, noticing a lot of servants which were working there even when she was a filly.

Funeral processing eve actually came out onto the streets of Canterlot, where endless waves of diffirent creatures, from pony's to dragons, every one of which was watching the last processing of the Princess of Sun. And the funeral processing sure was grandiose - orchestral was playing the most somber music so even the sun itself knows it's lost it's princess, six royal guards are carrying the coffin, and three separately were carrying the royal regalia that belonged to the Princess Celestia, and all around small colons of soldiers were marching along with generals form the famous regiment. Not all of them, but those who once got the reward from the Princess Celestia herself, which they got for defending Equestria in the most fearsome war. Unfortunately Blueblood couldn't come. Sunset very clear rememberts about it, he died a long time ago during the war, so he wasn't amongst the generals that were giving his auntie a send-off. On the other hand...he was meeting her the first on the other side... Even the Elements of Harmony were among the collons, which, unfortunately, couldn't come with their friend, Princess Twilight, who was walking with the rest of the royal family, right behind the coffin.

Sunset noted that the weather today was just as gloomy as... the entire time since the death of the princess. Pegasus teams don'y recive any orders today to clear the sky, and no one blamed them. Right now even the sky itself was allowed to grieve. Sometimes Sunset, almost unnoticably turned to those who were walking closely to her, trying to grasp how they feel.

Cadence was morally, mentally and any other way - exhausted beyond believe. It was a miracle she found the strength to not only participate, but do it so seemlessly. Shining, just like the soldiers under his command, was marching straight and calm, showing an example even in such a dire situation, thou he tried being closer to his wife to support her at least somehow in such a devastating for her moment. Flurry Heart... was deffinetly not the brightest face here as well. Being old enough to participate she was walking along with her mother, while her eyes showed something she didn't expect to feel today. Fear. Deep, deep, primal fear. First Alicorn born in Equestria found out about alicorns, actually being mortal first time in her life with an example from her own family... and it seems the realization that her "immortal" grandma left her - was beating the already broken world picture of the relatively young princess even more. Twilight was visibly nervous, but mostly because of the ceremony, sometimes looking around to check if everything was going according to plan. Her classic way of dealing with grief and loss, burrying herself in work... its scary to think how she will overwork after the ceremony will come to an end... Spike will have to drag her to bed even more often then usual.

But, surprisingly, the one who showed the most resolve was... Princess Luna. She has a surprising calmness and resilience. If someone should've been hit the hardest by the news - it was her, but it seemd like the Alicorn's mood didn't change from the usual at all... maybe she was the first one to deal with this stage, and find the serenity in this moment. Afterall, as Twilight said, it was her who was with Celestia until the very last moment in the world of dreams, not leaving with this...feeling of helplessness from not saying everything she wanted that everypony else felt deep in their hearts.

Sunset lost count of how many creatures gathered around the streets, where the funeral procession was held. The plan was to go to the gates of the city only through the biggest streets, but even so - dozen, maybe even hundreds of thousands of creatures, with numerous of them bowing down as the coffin was getting carried besides them. The road to the city gates felt like an eternity, which was the end of the walking procession, where the coffin and the regalia was placed inside of a hearse, which, along with other cars, drove to the Ponyvile, and the Princesses first ever residence - Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. The place where the Princess Celestial will have her eternal slumber. Looking at the hearse driving away into the horizon - Sunset decided not to participate in the Ponyvile's procession... she needed a breather. Just as much as Twilight, with who she dissapeared in a flash of magical light, appearing before the main gates of the castle with a couple of others, like Flurry who was teleportated by Cadance. Thou the Elements, Shining and Cadance decided to keep going with the rest of the procession.

First residence didn't look like ruins inside of the deep deadly forest. Renovation Twilight started after the war brought the Castle back to its former glory and was approved by the Luna and Celestial herself.It looked just as old and antique, as destroying this feeling of age and time would mean destroying the castle itself, so the entire process was supervised by Luna,who remembered the place in minute details.Even the forest around it was much more peaceful, most dangerous creatures with time moved away, the everfree forest becomes more and more domesticated.

One of the new roads now had the collon of buses and cars. First one of them had the representatives of the other regions of Equestria. After that comes the representatives of New Mareland, Maregypt, Ember the Lord of the Dragons, strict and collected as always, Prince Rutherford from Yakyakistan, who's muzzle was even rounder and puffer then usual, possibly from crying, which made the question of "how does he see where to go?" even more prominent then usual. Sunset was surprised to know that Yak's were grieving like this after those who they were respecting. Queen Velvet form Olenia, who was trying to be elegant even when grieving, which kinda reminded Sunset of Rarity. The last one was Thorax. The emotionally vulnerable King looked not any better than the Yak before him, which was expected. After them there were foreign leaders. Sunset look at them exiting with mild curiosity.

The first one was Skystar with her mother Novo, who was a close friend of Celestia. Rain Shine, another friend of the princess, and Autumn Blaze, who wasn't spared by time, civil war and the captivity made the unchanging premier minister of Kiria look thirty-ish years older then she is. After them the delegation from the Griffons and the president of Aquelia - Morning Star - the first the unicorn who became the leader of the nation of Griffons, after her the president of the Griffon republic, Chancellor of Karphinian Federation, Queen of Vedina and many more. After them was the Queen Gytha, the ruller of the changeling hive on the far-away, lonely island in Griffonia, which, together with ponies of riverlands stood with Equestria in a war against Chrysalis. Now she was here as a chancellor of river federation, this was her first visit to equestria...possibly the worst way to visit a country. Even the diplomats from the Zebrican countries, and new king of Saddle Aravia showed up. But the last car, at lest in the eyes Sunset looked the most unique. Becuase it was from Stalliongrad. Shortly after a peach-colored colt existed out of it, general secretary Vasiliy Wheatin. Surprisingly - instead of the usual red army uniform - he had a black mourning dress, which be was visibly uncomfortable in, but was ready to respect the traditions and etiquette of Equestrians. Everypony was surprised to see him, Sunset included, even despite Twilight whispering to her about him informing her beforehand, of his own volition to be here. Seems like even the communists have some semblance of respect for such an important figure.... Sending all of them in Sunset noted that the rest of the royal family and the elements of harmony were already there, so it was time for all of them to go inside.

Stepping into the Castle Sunset looks at the high ceilings of once-upon-a-time throne room, now equipped for a memorial ceremony. Ancient Organ was heard throughout the entire place, feeling it with an almost-otherworldly sounds. The seats were...almost perfect. Sunset noted how Twilight was deffinetly relieved after being able to cram almost all the world leaders and most of the important ponies inside of one room. The last free seats were occupied by the royal family. Shortly after - the Royal Guards brought the coffin inside, and then place it on a pedestal in thу center of the room. Later Sunset barely recognized what was happening. For better or for worse, because of the long living of their rulers - the royal burial procedures were almost forgotten by pony's, and all that was available - are the burial procedures of the last queens of Prance found by Twilight. Even if they looked...bizarre for the modern Equestrians.

Eventually the guests started steping up and making their speech. Sunset was one step from ignoring them. "A pony that changed the history", "legendary politician", diffirent faces - same words. And in none of them did she hear about her. The mare that took her in as a filly. Not for a moment before did Sunset thought that others can see her mom somehow differently.

Even Twilight's speech was kinda dry and robotic... but at least here Sunset knew that this was not intentional. She heard her yesterday refusing to go to sleep and repeating again and again her speach, ignoring Spike's words. She was deffinetly keeping her composure and fatigue very good. Who knows how many time she repeated her words, refusing even the idea of making a mistake, as if it would put dirt on the name of her teacher. Even so, Sunset's ears couldn't help but twitch as she heard a part that Twilight decided to end on.

"And so, I would like to give the direct heir, princess of Equestria, Sunset Shimmer, a word," finished tall purple Alicorn, pointing right at her, making a confused unicorn freeze for a moment, before nodding.

Sunset still felt kinda uncomfortable when everyone was addressing her by her new Title, even thou the coronation is still yet to come. But she was, technically, a princess since the...death of her mom, making Sunset a new monarch. She hated the way it happened, she wanted Celestia to just go on a vacation, or even better - a retirement, give her the title of her own will, leaving her heir herself... Sunset swallowed in pain. It was not as she wanted... and she needed to accept it. Weren't the monarch's of the Griffon kingdoms wishing to rule without their parents dying? Or the Monarchs of pony's before the founding of Equestria? Why did Sinset had to be the exeption? This thought helped her to collect herself once again before addressing the guests.

"Celestia really enjoyed much books in her library.Throught her long life she meet numerous authors, who are hailed as classics nowadays. From one of them she sheard a phrase that she one day said to me. "An important part of all stories - is how they end.". I can't say how she was as a politic, or what pony's will write about her in a century, but I can say what pony she was during her life," Sunset wasn't saying it easily, but these words are the only thing that came naturally right now, "she was very caring, freespirited and joyful. She always wanted to live a life of a normal pony, but the feeling of responsibility made her push through despite everything, even if it took sacrifices from her. And the ever-changing world never made it easier for her. Maybe that why... she accepted her end so easily, knowing that she did everything she could and can no longer protect her beloved little pony's from the dangers. But she wouldn't have gone without believing in us, believing that everypony left can change the world for the better, believed that we can go on without her, don't need her protection anymore...believed ... that even without her - every day, still can, and will be only better for us. And I will do everything to make her belive a reality. I refuse to disappoint her!"

Sunset had the tears collecting on the edges of her eyes, which she couldn't suppress. She walked to the coffin and left her hood on it for the last couple of seconds, before coming back to her seat. No one else stood up. So the ceremony was coming to an end. Finally Princess regalia was placed upon her coffin. They were placed by Raven herself. Sunset agreed with Twilight that there was no pony who deserved this honor more then her. After this the royal guards lifted the coffin once again, carrying it towards the castle cemetery. After them came only the royal family, the only ones allowed inside of the royal cemetery. This part wasn't actually necessary and more personal, so Sunset decided to take a greater outside, looking at the sky with surprise. After almost two days of gloomy weather - the clouds started parting, revealing the warm Ray's of the dawn, some if which were landing on her muzzle.

This was the day when most of the countries of the world showed their respect to the dead princess, each in their own way. In the New Mareland - the cannons fired more than a thouthands times, one for each year of Celestia's life. Every temple of Kiria had the memorial bonfires lit for the princess. Rives of the riverlands were full of the swimming candles, which were left there in memory of the princess. Yak's were Yak's and made a festival of destruction of everything around, and even made it into a yearly tradition.Every embassy in Equestria received numerous flowers. There was rumors breezy's even joined in the mourning, feeding the flowers their magic which made them glow like small gold colored lanterns at night. The entire world seemed to have reach peace to mourn the one who left after being considerate the one who will be there forever, if only for a day.